Regional Convergence in Agricultural Sector Growth in North-eastern Rajasthan

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to analyse the district-level disparity in agriculture sector development in north-eastern Rajasthan across 11 districts. To measure the regional disparities and identify the factors underlying the convergence or divergence in agriculture sector development the coefficient of variation (CV) and agriculture development index have been computed. District-wise agricultural development index (ADI) has been constructed for two cross-section years 2005–2006 and 2017–2018, and districts have been classified into three development categories on the basis of values of indices. Principal component analysis (PCA) has been used. To identify the factors and their impact underlying the convergence or divergence in agriculture sector development, the multiple regression technique has been applied. The study finds wide disparities in level of development in agriculture sector across the districts. However, disparities have reduced during the period 2005–2006 to 2017–2018. The study suggests that policymakers should stress on irrigation facilities, farm inputs supply, road connectivity and R&D in agricultural inputs for raising the agriculture sector productivity and income in less-developed districts. Committed and well-planned measures on the part of the policymakers are needed if the development policy is to be made truly inclusive in the state.